As his sister hung up, Leon decided to call his father. The screen lit up with Nicholas’s dishevelled face, his weariness was clear.“Old man, what’s up?” Leon greeted casually. Nicholas sighed, his tone exasperated. “Come to the point, Leon.”“Ouch, Dad,” Leon replied, feigning offense.Nicholas rubbed his temples. “How did you remember me today? I thought you were busy hating the world.”“I hate the world, not you, Dad. I actually quite like you,” Leon quipped with a grin.Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”“But, just so you know, I didn’t like you when we first met,” Leon said with a serious expression. Suddenly, he broke into laughter. “By the way, did you congratulate Rhys on keeping up with the Hart family legacy? You know, fathers not being informed about their kids’ births, it is practically tradition.”Despite his foul mood, Nicholas couldn’t help but chuckle. Leon had a way of lightening even the heaviest situations.“If Bella had found the baby a few years later, we
“Did you find anything about Alessia?” John asked Matthew, his voice heavy with frustration.For the past three months, Olivia had been locked in jail. No lawyer, no amount of money. Nothing was enough to bring her out. He had tried everything, yet nothing worked. To make matters worse, his wife, after miraculously surviving her fall, had lost her sanity and was now confined to a mental asylum. This was far from the life he had envisioned for his family.His family was now a joke in the entire society. First, they abandoned their daughter. When the daughter was living a normal life and was married, the family appeared out of nowhere. The younger daughter then stole the husband of her elder sister. Then, the elder sister grew richer than all of them. While the elder sister was doing well in life, they kept on ruining her reputation. Now both mother and the younger sister tried to kill her. These were the rumours that the media was portraying these days. He could not even show his face
In the last two months, Rhys’ life had changed completely. With Sia absent, he was managing the company and learning how to be a father to his son. Things have smoothened out with his family. Now they were supporting him in his new journey while also being there for his son. “What do you mean?” Rhys asked sharply over the phone. Seated in his office, dressed in a crisp three-piece suit, his forehead was creased in frustration. “If they want to sign the deal, that’s their choice. Our company doesn’t make compromises.”He sounded authoritative as if he possessed all the power at the moment despite being troubled. “Mr. Hart, we don’t trust your company without your boss present,” the other party said.“My boss ensured this company runs smoothly even without her here,” Rhys countered. “Have you noticed any decline in our performance? We are stronger than ever. The decision is yours, take it or leave it.”“Mr. Hart, let’s be honest. We are your only option,” the voice on the other end rep
That evening, the dining table was crowded with siblings, save for Leon, who remained by Sia’s side as he was guarding her like a loyal knight.As soon as Rhys stepped into the house, Callum appeared out of nowhere and snatched Nico from his arms.“Hey, buddy!” Callum greeted cheerfully, earning a fit of giggles from the baby.“That’s cheating!” Abella protested, crossing her arms. “We agreed to take turns, youngest to oldest. It is my turn to hold him!”But before the two could argue further, Nico spotted Anne emerging from the kitchen with a fresh batch of cookies. His face lit up as if he had found the ultimate prize.“Mama!” the baby squealed with delight, abandoning Callum’s hold to toddle straight to her.Anne who was balancing the warm cookies, set the tray on the dining table just in time to scoop Nico into her arms. The little boy buried his face in the crook of her neck, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her. Even at his age, Nico knew who truly ruled the house. He had wr
The dining table buzzed with laughter and conversation, creating a warm, perfect atmosphere at their home. Amid the cheerful clatter of cutlery and voices, Anne’s phone rang. Seeing Leon’s name on the screen, she quickly answered.“Hello, son. How are you?” Anne asked, her voice brightening.Leon’s tone was calm but it seemed as if he was trying to hold back his emotion. “Mom, Rowan came by a few minutes ago. He said Sia’s brain is showing activity. He said it’s a good sign, there is a chance she might wake up soon.”Anne froze for a moment, processing the news. Then her face lit up. “Oh, thank God!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. “Finally, something good is happening. It has been three long months. We have missed her so much.”Everyone at the table stopped eating, their attention on Anne as she shared the news. Smiles and murmurs of relief spread around the room.“Thankfully, the Lord has listened to our prayers,” Anne added, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Leon crouched beside Sia’s bed, his eyes fixed on her delicate face. She looked beautiful, even in this fragile state, but there was something unnervingly fragile about her now. Her once-full cheeks had hollowed, her bones more pronounced than before. He could hardly bring himself to touch her, afraid of causing any harm."Can I sleep with you tonight, baby?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t feel like being far from you. My heart is so restless. Maybe it’s because Rowan said you could wake up any moment now. But I’m scared. I don’t want to let myself get too excited, only to be let down again. I can’t handle that kind of disappointment. For three months, I have been told that you might wake up soon. Every time, I let myself hope and every time, nothing changes."He fell silent for a moment, his hand hovering just above hers but not touching her. He continued, his voice filled with emotion, "Let’s talk about something else. I have been forced to go back to work. I
Song Recommendation: All My Love, ColdplayAs usual, Leon woke up and leaned in to kiss Sia’s face. She was still sleeping, peaceful and quiet as always. He whispered, “Last night, I had one of the best dreams in a long time. I saw you wake up and smile at me. It felt so real, Sia. I wish I could have that dream again. Baby, I can’t wait for you to wake up. Today, I feel happy, even though you are still asleep. It’s like I can feel you holding my hand, keeping me steady. You are my everything—my love, my happiness, my reason for living. I love you more than words can say.”He gave her one final kiss on the cheek before leaving the room.After stepping out, Leon made a few calls and then spoke to Emery, who was looking after Sia’s treatment. They discussed her condition for a while, and Leon made sure to note any updates.Later, he settled into his home office to work. These days, he hardly attended physical meetings, preferring to handle everything through online calls. If he absolutel
Sia’s POVI was floating in an endless expanse of darkness, weightless and suspended. I wasn’t awake, yet I wasn’t entirely asleep either. The void surrounded me, but then, faint flickers of light began to pierce through, breaking apart the shadows. Shards of memories started surfacing and all of them were sharp and vivid.I could hear laughter. A burst of warm, carefree joy echoed in my ears. I saw myself, Leon, and a grumpy dog trudging through the snow. The image shifted, and there we were, walking with a group of tribal people. I was ahead of him, curious and eager to keep up with the group, while Leon stayed close behind, his watchful gaze ensuring I didn’t stray too far. At that time I thought, he was keeping an eye on his hostage but now I see that he was worried for me. The scene flickered, and now we stood beneath a living tree in the middle of a harsh winter. Snow surrounded us but the tree blossomed against all odds. Flowers fell, landing on both of us as we silently stare
EpilogueThree Years Later“Dr. Hart?”Abella turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her.“The patient in the NICU is responding to the medication,” the nurse informed her. “Could you check on her?”Without hesitation, Abella rushed to the NICU, her heart throbbing fast. That morning, the baby girl’s condition had been critical, but now, as she looked into those tiny, bright eyes, she felt a wave of relief.“Hey there, sweetheart,” Abella cooed, smiling warmly. “You’re such a fighter. You fought so hard to be here with your mom and dad.”The baby stared up at her, and Abella’s heart melted.“Yes, you’re such a strong, big girl,” she whispered, gently touching the baby’s hand.Outside the NICU, the parents expressed their gratitude; their tearful smiles reminded Abella why she had chosen this path. In moments like these, she was reminded of how beautiful it was to help save these little angels. But there were also the heartbreaking days, the ones where some angels didn’t make it.
Meanwhile, Kate and Rhys were sitting with Anne.“Why is Aunt suddenly changing colors?” Rhys asked.“Because she knows she was wrong and wants back what she lost,” Kate said matter-of-factly.Anne chuckled. “Kate, as much as I love your straightforward attitude, I’d appreciate it if you toned it down in front of Emery. She is… well, very touchy and fussy.”Kate shrugged. “MIL, I have a complaint. Coco and Sia had a girls’ day without me! Can you imagine? I’m trying to be as cool as them, but they left me out!”Rhys suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, Mom, they left my dear Kate out.”Anne played along. “That’s terrible, I’ll scold them,”“Yes, scold them well,” Kate agreed, then added mischievously, “but don’t tell them I snitched. Just say it was Rhys.”Anne smiled. “Alright, dear.” Then, she glanced at Kate. “I saw you have been spending time with Abella. How’s that going? I know you two weren’t close.”Kate sighed. “Everyone coddles her too much. She is living in disillusionment. Coco and
It was a beautiful day that was filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Anne and Nicholas’s wedding anniversary had brought the entire family together, and the house was buzzing with warmth and joy.Nicholas turned to Anne as his eyes were soft with affection. “We have been together for forty years,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.Anne smiled back, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze. “Yes, we made it this far.”Leaning in, Nicholas pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your husband.”Anne’s voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, “Thank you for fighting for us.”Just then, Leon and Coco appeared out of nowhere while wrapping their arms around their parents in a tight hug. “If anyone deserves the credit, it’s us!” Leon declared with a grin. “We made sure you two ended up together.”Nicholas and Anne exchanged amused glances before nodding. “Yes,” Nicholas agreed, “and we’re very thankful for your scheming. Turns out, it w
“Did you match into your preferred branch of residency?” Madam Facci asked, excitement filling her voice.Abella swallowed. “Ma, I’m still checking the results,” she admitted. “I’m scared.”“You have nothing to be scared of, my dear. Just look,” she heard. With a deep breath, Abella entered her credentials for the residency match. Her eyes darted across the screen as the words appeared before her.“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.“What is it?” Madam Facci asked eagerly.“Pediatrics…” Abella whispered in disbelief.A joyful gasp came from the other end. “Oh my god! I am so happy for you, dear!”Abella’s chest tightened as she read the rest. “With NYU…” she murmured. “If I accept it, I will have to stay in New York.”Was she ready for this?Madam Facci’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Whatever you choose, we are proud of you. You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this moment. You did it, Abella. I’m so, so proud of you.”That evening, the entire family gather
Augustus Hart was born a healthy, chubby baby with a bald head, looking absolutely perfect in every way. His arrival was so sudden that only Callum and Estelle were present at the hospital when her water broke. They barely had time to inform anyone, but Abella rushed over as soon as she found out.The moment Callum stepped out of the delivery room and saw his sister waiting outside, a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.“Congratulations, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Abella whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.Callum let out a shaky breath, still overwhelmed. “When did you get here?”“Just now,” she said with a smile. “How’s Estelle?”“Tired,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still cursing me.”Abella chuckled. “And the baby?”“Just perfect,” Callum said, his eyes softening. “Come inside. She is going to be so happy to see you.”When Estelle saw Abella, she let out a small gasp before pulling her into a long, tight
After her divorce, Abella didn’t leave the country. Cillian had given her a staggering sum in alimony, even going as far as naming half of his assets to her, but she refused to take a single dime. She had her own inheritance. More money than she could ever need. But what could wealth do? It couldn’t buy her happiness. It couldn’t fill the void in her heart.Cillian knew her too well; he didn’t push her to accept anything. He let her go, even when it shattered him.When her mother lived in Italy with Coco and Leon, alongside her uncle Nate, she had bought a beautiful bungalow. It had never been sold, left untouched over the years. When Abella married Cillian, Leon had given her the key to that house as a quiet token of their family’s past. There were two bungalows beside each other, one where her mother had raised her two older siblings, and the other where her father had stayed, the place where her parents had met and reunited. One had been passed down to Charlotte, the other to Leon.
Cillian stared at her, his throat tightening as he heard the finality in her voice. He had imagined this conversation a thousand different ways, but none of them had prepared him for the calm and almost serene acceptance in her eyes.“Abella…” He whispered her name like a prayer, like a plea. “Can we please rethink this?”Abella smiled. It was a soft, bittersweet smile that made his chest ache.“Cillian, there is nothing to rethink,” she said gently. “Alessandro came to see me. He told me that he was leaving the country with his mother. He said he doesn’t want to come between us, that he would be happy if you called him once in a while and only if it was okay with me.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s too big of a burden for me to carry. I mean, I don’t care how you navigate your relationship with your son. But I will give you one piece of advice: don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt one more person. You have already hurt me, you have hurt him, and you have hurt his mother. Stop making
Cillian reached for her hand, his grip firm but trembling as well. “Abella, please listen to me. I’m sorry. I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. Can you please forgive me?” His voice cracked with desperation.She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know,” she said softly.Cillian’s breath hitched, and he tried again. “Please, I’ll change. I’ll work on myself. Just give me a chance.” His hands clenched at his sides as if willing himself not to break apart. “I don’t want to see you like this, so shattered. You mean so fucking much to me. Please.”But to Abella, his words felt like echoes in an empty room. They were hollow and weightless. Once upon a time, she had longed to hear them, had dreamed of a moment where he would look at her like this, beg for her, choose her. But now? Now, they felt unimportant. They meant nothing.She exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I heard you. But my head is splitting apart, Cillian. Can you please just go back to your house? I just w
Madam Facci looked at her son, her expression undecipherable. She had seen Cillian walk through storms without flinching, but today, he stood before her looking utterly wrecked. His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, his arm wound had reopened, staining his sleeve with fresh blood, yet none of that seemed to matter to him or anyone at this point.“What do you want, Cillian?” she asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“I’m here to see Abella,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost desperate.Madam Facci crossed her arms. “I’m sure you have no idea what happened last night.”“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I just want to explain things to her. She is overthinking this, and there is nothing much to overthink. I just—” He exhaled sharply. “I just want to make everything okay.”A wry smile tugged at Madam Facci’s lips, but there was no amusement in her eyes. “Son,” she said, “we can never tell someone what is worth overthinking or not. For you, th